Our Story

OUR STORY

Our Mission

Creating a community based on the timeless wisdoms of love, compassion, truth, harmony, generosity, joy and service;

Empowering young people on their mental wellness journey via holistic self care and a supportive community – to overcome life challenges, live life with purpose and passion, and fulfil their life potential as human beings.

Our Vision

We envision a world where mental wellness is a top life priority, and where every young person is given the opportunity to realize their full potential via the journey of self-discovery, healing and transformation, to achieve true happiness and optimal wellbeing.

The genesis of Over-The-Rainbow first came about in 2010 as an initiative of WholeTree Foundation, the family foundation of Yen-Lu and Yee Ling Chow, in loving memory of their dear son Lawrance H. Chow, whose life was abruptly cut short on 22nd October 2009 at a youthful age of 26 after suffering for many years from manic-depression.

The mission of WholeTree Foundation is to identify, initiate, partner worthwhile social innovation projects to effect positive transformations in areas of youth and human wellness, including health and education, on a global scale. We wish to orchestrate a holistic and socially conscious approach to creating awareness and catalyzing sustainable solutions to society’s most challenging problems as they relate to youth and human wellness.

Mental Illness can Afflict Anyone

We salute all the young people who are battling every day, and those who had battled, a mental illness such as depression, manic-depression, and anxiety disorder. Some are healed; some are managing and healing, while others unfortunately have been taken away by the illness. We call upon the society, to open our eyes wide – it could be a family member, a friend, a classmate, a roommate, a teammate, an employee, a neighbor, someone you know, someone you see every day – at the MRT, the bus-stop, in the supermarket, sitting next to you in the food court, or in a restaurant. They are one of us, just like you and I – the only difference is they are suffering from a mental disorder – a medical condition caused by an imbalance in the brain chemicals that regulate the emotional state of a person. Like other parts of our body – heart, lung, kidney, stomach, liver, pancreas – the brain can get sick too!

We believe that youths with mental disorders are not handicapped. It does not stop them from caring for others, nor does it reflect on their character and heart. Although they may lead a life of internal darkness having to battle the disease constantly, they are capable of giving love and kindness to others. Many of them also possess extraordinary talents in music, the arts, science, politics, and leadership, while leading meaningful and purposeful lives. We want to help the society see, and understand, that mental illness does not make them any different, or any less, than the rest of us as human beings!

Mental Wellness is for Everyone

Our mission is to create a one-stop hub for youth mental wellness. We wish to orchestrate a holistic approach by building a dynamic and organic platform integrating online communities and offline activities bringing together various stakeholders – youths, families & friends, schools, healthcare professionals, wellness experts, spiritual gurus, and the public – to exchange information, advance understanding, share experiences, gain support, and seek help while catalyzing social awareness and acceptance on the issues of youth mental health. We believe, simply, that mental wellness is foreveryone; all human beings – including those are feeling well and healthy – can live a happier and more fulfilling life by embracing the principles of mental wellness and holistic self-care.